Meet Your New Vacation Coach: Megan Stalter and IHG Hotels and Resorts Encourage Travelers to Book the Trip Already!

IHG Hotels & Resorts has teamed up with comedian Megan Stalter to launch a playful new campaign called “Meet Your Vacation Coach: Book the Trip Already!” Here’s what it’s all about:

Campaign Concept
- Megan Stalter transforms into a high-energy “Vacation Coach”, tackling common excuses people make for not taking time off.
- With humor and exaggerated pep talks like “It’s not hard, it’s not calculus, it’s a vacation! Book it already!”, she encourages travelers to drop the guilt and finally plan their getaway.
- The campaign aims to address the widespread issue of unused vacation days—IHG’s survey found 57% of Americans leave vacation days unused each year.

Survey Insights
- 1 in 4 Americans feel guilty about using their paid time off.
- Top reasons for “vacation guilt”:
- Travel costs (29%)
- Leaving pets behind (27%)
- Leaving children behind (19%)
- 43% of Americans would give up alcohol for two extra weeks of vacation.
- A third would even give up social media for more time off.

Special Packages
IHG is offering limited-time “Take the Vacation – No Excuses” packages at select hotels in the U.S. and Mexico:
- Up to 25% discounted rates
- Surprise welcome gift (say the secret password: “Book it already!”)
- Curated itineraries tailored to local culture and guest preferences
- Available for stays between Nov 30, 2025 – Nov 2026, bookable until Feb 10, 2026

Why It Matters
This campaign blends humor, psychology, and travel deals to motivate people to prioritize rest and adventure. It’s not just about booking a hotel—it’s about reclaiming balance, joy, and time for yourself.

✨ IHG is clearly tapping into the cultural moment of “vacation guilt” and flipping it into a fun, empowering message.